NCJ Number
15274
Date Published
1974
Length
66 pages
Annotation
NARRATIVE AND TABULAR PRESENTATION OF THE NUMBER OF STATE PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH CATEGORIZED BY AGE, SEX, RACE, OFFENCE, AND TIME SPENT ON DEATH ROW.
Abstract
THIS REPORT PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH DURING CALENDAR YEARS 1971 AND 1972 IN STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, THERE HAVING BEEN NO SUCH INMATES IN FEDERAL PRISONS IN EITHER YEAR. IT IS BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CORRECTIONAL AUTHORITIES IN ALL 50 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN RESPONSE TO A MAIL CANVASS AND UPON HISTORICAL DATA APPEARING IN PREVIOUS REPORTS. THE REPORT GIVES INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF NEW DEATH SENTENCES METED OUT AND THE NUMBER OF SENTENCES DISPOSED OF BY MEANS OTHER THAN EXECUTION, AND IT INCLUDES DATA CHARTING ANNUAL TRENDS IN EXECUTIONS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1930. A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE LEGAL STATUS OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE VARIOUS STATES ALSO IS PROVIDED. A NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF GENERAL FINDINGS PRECEDES THE EXTENSIVE CHARTS AND TABLES WHICH MAKE UP THE BODY OF THE REPORT. THE SUMMARY NOTES THAT THE EFFECT OF THE 1972 SUPREME COURT DECISION OF FURMAN V. GEORGIA WAS TO REDUCE BUT NOT ELIMINATE THE NUMBER OF INMATES UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH. IT CONCLUDES THAT FURMAN'S INFLUENCE ON REVISED AND EXISTING DEATH PENALTY STATUTES AND THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT REMAIN TO BE DETERMINED. (SNI ABSTRACT)